| Graduation Year | Class of 1975 |
| Date of Passing | Jun 18, 2017 |
| About | Nancy Anne (Rea) Freeman Nancy Freeman, daughter of Tom and Shirley Rea, was born on April 29, 1957, and died Sunday, June 18, 2017 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Shawnee Mission, Kansas. She was 60 years old. She was married to Jerry Dean Freeman. They met in Durango, Colorado and married in Lawrence, Kansas. They lived in many different places during their lives together including Kalispell, Montana; Sun Valley, Idaho; Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM; Durango and Creede, CO; Wichita and Bonner Springs, KS; Kansas City; Dallas, TX; Costa Rica, and Peru. Jerry passed away of melanoma in 2014. She is survived by brothers; Dan, of Lawrence, and Tommy of Clive, Iowa. She is also survived by nephews; Jess Freeman of Jacksonville, FL, John Rea of Upper Waunakee, WI, Aaron Rea of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Adam Rea of Lawrence; niece, Elizabeth Rea of Des Moines, IA and brother-in-law, Terry Freeman of Portland, OR (Jerry’s twin brother). Also surviving are great nephews, Aidan Rea of Wisconsin and Isaac and Jacob Freeman of Jacksonville, FL. Nancy contracted early-onset Alzheimer’s and struggled with the disease for the last 3 years. During this unpredictable chapter in her life, she was very well cared for by her lifelong best friend, Amy (Godwin) Wulfemeyer. Amy unselfishly devoted her time to making sure Nancy was receiving the very best care at Garden Terrace of Overland Park, where she resided for the past 3 years while at the same time caring for her own family. Nancy’s family will always be grateful for Amy’s love and friendship. Quote from Amy, “It is with great sadness that I share with you that our sweet Nancy peacefully passed away on Sunday June 18 at 2:02 p.m. Her brother Dan, sister-in-law, Julie, and I were able to provide support to her, share memories and say our goodbyes. She had been declining significantly since March and in the end was unable to swallow and maintain her breathing. Her strong spirit was present even still and all available comfort measures were taken to ease her transition. We are at peace knowing that Nancy and Jerry are now reunited – probably in the mountains or on a lake – as you read this. It was a blessing to have Nancy close for the last three years so we could spend this precious time together. Thanks to each and every one for your love and support of this very, very special lady. I know that she touched your hearts in the same way she did ours.” Eternally grateful for her life, Nancy’s family want people to remember her the last time they saw her…before her disease took hold. Nancy enjoyed the outdoors, theater, singing and family. She attended LHS, graduating in 1975. She also attended college in New Mexico graduating with degrees from both schools she attended. No services will be held for Nancy. Her family will scatter her ashes at a later date in the same location where her husband’s ashes are scattered. Memorial contributions can be made to support Alzheimer’s research at the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Checks should be made payable to KU Endowment – Alzheimer’s Research, and should be mailed to KU Endowment, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., MS 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160. Online donations may be made at www.kualzheimer.org/. Visit her Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/100018274217871/timeline/story?ut=32&wstart=-2051193600&wend=2147483647&hash=108973496388457&pagefilter=3&ustart=1 |
